The Best Peanut Butter Brownies




 Yields 9 large or 16 small brownies
 Prep Time 15 minutes  Cook Time 40 minutes  Total Time 55 mins

Ingredients

  • 1 cup (6 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips
  • 1 1/2 sticks (6 ounces) unsalted butter, cut into pieces
  • 1/2 cup peanut butter
  • 4 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped
  • 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
  • 3 large eggs plus 1 egg yolk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3/4 cup (3.3 ounces) all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 9 full-size peanut butter cups
Method

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with foil and spray with nonstick cooking spray.
In a large microwave-safe bowl, combine the chocolate chips, butter, peanut butter, and unsweetened chocolate. Heat in the microwave for 1 minute then stir. Continue heating in 30-second bursts, stirring between each burst, until the mixture is melted and smooth but not scorched. Remove from the microwave and let cool slightly.In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the eggs and sugar on medium-high speed until light and thick, about 3 minutes. Beat in the vanilla extract. Stir in the cooled chocolate mixture with a rubber spatula. Add the flour and salt, folding gently until combined.
Pour half the batter into the prepared baking pan. Place the peanut butter cups on top then cover with the remaining batter. Bake until a tester comes out with moist crumbs still attached, 35 to 40. Do not overbake. Let cool to room temperature. Serve at room temperature.